Mountains Vs. Molehills

A Photographer uses technology to capture, if not distort, the natural beauty of Zion.  An Artist can't paint in a way that immerses the viewer within the Yosemite Valley.  A Writer's pen barely describes a climber's experience on the wall.  To communicate our experiences, we alter some form of our reality for others to enjoy it vicariously.  This alteration may or may not be intentional as it's limited by our methods of sharing.

I assume the history of sharing climbing stories comes down to gaining funding for an expedition and the summary.  That tradition has transferred into magazine articles/shoots, Social Media Advertising, etc.  The nature of this story-sharing medium has to be engaging for the reader/viewer.  This encourages the creator to make mountains out of molehills.  A person pushing their leading limit at 5.8 can go through the exact same experiences as someone pushing 5.14.  So why do storytellers need to modify their reality?  The 5.8 leader can have the same epic story as the 5.14 leader.

When do we realize our, or their, Mountain is just a Molehill? Should we continue to support and worship these writers of altered endeavors? Or support ones who make a solid attempt at telling an accurate story?

Tell us an engaging 5.8 story there Gum. We readers vote with our eyes.

I think the community at large, and ultimately us as individuals can benefit greatly from being called out a little more often.  We all have egos and they're unavoidable, but it's hard to keep them in check very well from our own perspective.

I dunno. Personally, Bierstadt's paintings are a lot more beautiful than what the valley looks likes today. Aint no sprinter vans or shitty tourists in the Hudson River School's works.

Also, you got a couple wires crossed in this post. You say that people on 5.8 go through the same experiences as someone pushing 5.14, but then encourage writers to not make mountains out of molehills? Im just a bit confused about what the point of this post actually is. Why cant we just let people express themselves and roll our eyes at the more ridiculous examples?

I can personally tell you a very harrowing tale of almost shitting my pants while belaying at the anchor of a 10b pitch. Would that be a mountain or a molehill in your opinion?

Tyler Stockdalewrote:

I can personally tell you a very harrowing tale of almost shitting my pants while belaying at the anchor of a 10b pitch. Would that be a mountain or a molehill in your opinion?

Depends on how much shit comes out.

Gumby Kingwrote:

The 5.8 leader can have the same epic story as the 5.14 leader.

Wrong

Bigger numbers always mean better stories.

Great and pretty rare book.  

We’re talking about bouldering right? 

soft cruxwrote:

Wrong

Bigger numbers always mean better stories.

5.8 > 5.14. I passed every math class I took

almostradwrote:

I think the community at large, and ultimately us as individuals can benefit greatly from being called out a little more often.  We all have egos and they're unavoidable, but it's hard to keep them in check very well from our own perspective.

Exactly part of my point.  We all need to be ho est with ourselves before sharing our successes with the community.  Even if it's for money, an article, blog, etc